Christmas Cheesecake (Cranberry Jam White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake)
Ingredients
- 16 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 5 Tbsp butter
melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 24 oz cream cheese
softened
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 Tbsp sour cream
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp corn starch
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean
- 8 oz baking white chocolate bars)
(2-4 oz bars
- 8 oz cream cheese
softened
- 8 oz whipped topping like COOL Whip
- 8 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
or super fine sugar
Directions
- 1
Candied Cranberries (overnight):
- 2
Combine water and 1 1/2 cups of sugar in a sauce pot, over medium heat. Heat the mixture until sugar is all dissolved, while stirring slowly. Take off heat.
- 3
Let the mixture cool a bit before adding cranberries. Add cranberries, stir, cover and refrigerate overnight.
- 4
Drain cranberries in a colander.
- 5
Add 1/2 cup of sugar to a shallow bowl and coat cranberries is sugar. Set aside until ready to decorate.
- 6
Quick Cranberry Jam:
- 7
In a sauce pot, over medium heat, combine cranberries, sugar and vanilla extract. Mix well cook cranberries stirring often. Cook for 12-15 minutes. Take off heat and let it cool completely.
- 8
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and grease a 9 inch springform pan. You will need a large roasting pan that’s bigger and longer than the springform pan. (I use the aluminum foil disposable ones). If you are not sure about your springform holding up in water, you can wrap the outside of the springform pan in heavy duty aluminum foil from bottom up to the sides. (I recommend wrapping the outside of the springform in foil before adding the crust and cheesecake batter.)
- 9
Crust:
- 10
Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir very well, until all incorporated. Press graham cracker mixture into the pan, evenly, all over the bottom and about half way up the side.
- 11
Spread half of the cranberry jam over the crust.
- 12
Cheesecake:
- 13
Start beating cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- 14
Add vanilla extract, and sour cream. Mix until combined.
- 15
Add eggs, one at the time, beating after each addition. Scrape sides and bottom of the bowl and beat until all incorporated.
- 16
Lower speed and add corn starch. While on medium-low speed, pour in heavy cream. Mix until all combined, scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix again until smooth.
- 17
Cut vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds into the cheesecake batter. Mix well until incorporated throughout.
- 18
Spoon all of the cheesecake batter into the springform, over the jam.
- 19
Place roasting pan into the oven and place the cheesecake springform pan inside the roasting pan. Carefully add water to the roasting pan, about half way up the side of the springform.
- 20
Bake for 70-75 minutes. Turn off the oven and open the oven door half way. Let cheesecake rest for about 10 minutes and take it out of the oven (out of the roasting pan and carefully take off the foil).
- 21
Let it rest for 20 minutes on the counter and then gently run a greased butter knife between sides of the cheesecakes and the springform to carefully separate it. (You don't actually have to take the cheesecake out of the pan until ready to add topping.)
- 22
Cool cheesecake for an hour.
- 23
Spread remaining cranberry jam over the top of the cheesecake. Cover the pan with saran wrap and place the cheesecake in the refrigerator. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before adding the mousse.
- 24
White Chocolate Mousse:
- 25
Break up white chocolate bars and melt them according the to package instructions.
- 26
Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer for a couple of minutes.
- 27
Drizzle in melted white chocolate while continuing to beat cream cheese. Mix well.
- 28
Fold in whipped topping gently until all combined.
- 29
Spread white chocolate mousse over the top of the cheesecake. You can separate the mousse in two batches and use one batch to decorate with a frosting tip.
- 30
If using candied cranberries, spread them on top of the white chocolate mousse.
Christmas Cheesecake (Cranberry Jam White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake)
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About this Recipe
Elevate your holiday dessert table this year with a truly heavenly Christmas Cheesecake, featuring delightful layers of tangy cranberry jam and luxurious white chocolate mousse. This showstopping dessert promises to be the centerpiece of any festive gathering.
What makes this Christmas Cheesecake truly exceptional is its masterfully crafted layers, each contributing to a complex yet harmonious flavor profile. The vibrant homemade cranberry jam, made with fresh cranberries, offers a much-needed tart brightness that beautifully contrasts with the rich, creamy vanilla bean cheesecake. This core layer, infused with genuine vanilla bean, provides an unparalleled depth of flavor. Finally, a light and airy white chocolate mousse, crafted with baking white chocolate, adds a delicate sweetness and luxurious texture, ensuring every bite is a delightful balance of indulgence and festive cheer. The classic graham cracker crust anchors these elements with a buttery foundation.
Prepare for a truly heavenly dessert experience that is both visually stunning and incredibly satisfying. From your first bite, you'll encounter the tender, slightly crisp graham cracker crust, giving way to the smooth, rich vanilla bean cheesecake. Its subtle sweetness is perfectly cut by the burst of tangy, bright cranberry jam, which cleanses the palate and invites another spoonful. The crowning glory, a velvety smooth white chocolate mousse, delivers a delicate, melting finish. This Christmas Cheesecake isn't just a dessert; it's a celebration of holiday flavors, blending tart, sweet, and creamy textures into a decadent symphony.
While this Christmas Cheesecake is a showstopper as written, you can easily personalize its presentation. The recipe calls for a garnish of fresh cranberries, which you can arrange in an intricate pattern for an elegant finish, or simply scatter them for a more rustic yet festive look. If you wish to highlight the pure white chocolate mousse layer, a dusting of powdered sugar offers a subtle, sophisticated alternative.
This elegant Christmas Cheesecake is the quintessential dessert for holiday parties, festive dinners, or any special occasion that calls for an impressive and decadent finale. Serve it beautifully chilled to allow its distinct layers and flavors to truly shine.